Arthrospira platensis transglutaminase derived antioxidant peptide-packed electrospun chitosan/ poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous mat accelerates wound healing, in vitro, via inducing mouse embryonic fibroblast proliferation

State-of-the-Art Review of Advanced Electrospun Nanofiber Composites for Enhanced Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex biological process with four main phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Current treatments such as cotton and gauze may delay the wound healing process which gives a demand for more innovative treatments. Nanofibers are nanoparticles that resemble the extracellular matrix of the skin and have a large specific surface area, high porosity, good mechanical properties, controllable morphology, and size. Nanofibers are generated by electrospinning method that utilizes high electric force. Electrospinning device composed of high voltage power source, syringe that contains polymer solution, needle, and collector to collect nanofibers. Many polymers can be used in nanofiber that can be from natural or from synthetic origin. As such, electrospun nanofibers are potential scaffolds for wound healing applications. This review discusses the advanced electrospun nanofiber morphologies used in wound healing that is prepared by modified electrospinning techniques.

Emerging Applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp

Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. account for over 90% of the global microalgal biomass production and represent one of the most promising aquiculture bioeconomy systems. These microorganisms have been widely recognized for their nutritional and therapeutic properties; therefore, a significant growth of their market is expected, especially in the nutraceutical, food, and beverage segments. However, recent advancements in biotechnology and environmental science have led to the emergence of new applications for these microorganisms. This paper aims to explore these innovative applications, while shedding light on their roles in sustainable development, health, and industry. From this state-of-the art review, it was possible to give an in-depth outlook on the environmental sustainability of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. For instance, there have been a variety of studies reported on the use of these two microorganisms for wastewater treatment and biofuel production, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. Moreover, in the health sector, the richness of these microalgae in photosynthetic pigments and bioactive compounds, along with their oxygen-releasing capacity, are being harnessed in the development of new drugs, wound-healing dressings, photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, tissue engineering, and anticancer treatments. Furthermore, in the industrial sector, Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. are being used in the production of biopolymers, fuel cells, and photovoltaic technologies. These innovative applications might bring different outlets for microalgae valorization, enhancing their potential, since the microalgae sector presents issues such as the high production costs. Thus, further research is highly needed to fully explore their benefits and potential applications in various sectors.

Transglutaminase in Foods and Biotechnology

Stabilization and reusability of enzyme transglutaminase (TGM) are important goals for the enzymatic process since immobilizing TGM plays an important role in different technologies and industries. TGM can be used in many applications. In the food industry, it plays a role as a protein-modifying enzyme, while, in biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications, it is used in mediated bioconjugation due to its extraordinary crosslinking ability. TGMs (EC 2.3.2.13) are enzymes that catalyze the formation of a covalent bond between a free amino group of protein-bound or peptide-bound lysine, which acts as an acyl acceptor, and the γ-carboxamide group of protein-bound or peptide-bound glutamine, which acts as an acyl donor. This results in the modification of proteins through either intramolecular or intermolecular crosslinking, which improves the use of the respective proteins significantly.

Review on Extraction, Modification, and Synthesis of Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin

Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds. This review sorted and summarized the relevant literature about peptides during the past decade. Recent works on the extraction, modification and synthesis of peptides were reviewed. Importantly, the unique beneficial effects of peptides on the skin were extensively explored, providing ideas for the development and innovation of peptides and laying a knowledge foundation for the clinical application of peptides.

Polysaccharide Electrospun Nanofibers for Wound Healing Applications

As a type of biological macromolecule, natural polysaccharides have been widely used in wound healing due to their low toxicity, good biocompatibility, degradability and reproducibility. Electrospinning is a versatile and simple technique for producing continuous nanoscale fibers from a variety of natural and synthetic polymers. The application of electrospun nanofibers as wound dressings has made great progress and they are considered one of the most effective wound dressings. This paper reviews the preparation of polysaccharide nanofibers by electrospinning and their application prospects in the field of wound healing. A variety of polysaccharide nanofibers, including chitosan, starch, alginate, and hyaluronic acid are introduced. The preparation strategy of polysaccharide electrospun nanofibers and their functions in promoting wound healing are summarized. In addition, the future prospects and challenges for the preparation of polysaccharide nanofibers by electrospinning are also discussed.

Understanding the cellular response of human tenon fibroblast on polycaprolactone-Aloe vera blend fiber

The signalling response is determined by the cell's reaction to different biochemical and biophysical inputs such as stiffness, topological, and structural alignment. The surface patterns at the nano-scale can be an influential factor in cell signalling behaviour. It is important to understand the cellular response to the biophysical cues for biomedical applications. Biomaterials have an important role in regenerative tissue engineering. In this study, we have fabricated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL-Aloe vera (PCL-AV) nanofibrous matrix and studied its effect on the human tenon fibroblast (HTF) cellular and morphological changes. The electrospun fibers were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Brunaur, Emette and Teller (BET) analysis for their morphology, composition, topography, surface area and porosity. The results revealed fiber size, roughness and porosity has been altered by addition of AV. The HTF cell viability, proliferation and expression of focal adhesion proteins, such as FAK, Ezrin, Vasp and Cofilin on the PCL-AV fiber matrix were examined. The results showed a change in cellular morphology and a significant change in the cofilin phosphorylation on PCL-AV nanofiber. The influence of Aloe vera composition on the nano-dimension of the PCL has made a significant impact on the cellular morphology at both gene and protein levels. This observation suggests that AV composition in the nanofiber can significantly influence the HTF cellular adhesions.

Fabrication of Hybrid Nanofibers from Biopolymers and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Poly (ε-Caprolactone) for Wound Dressing Applications

The management of chronic wounds is challenging. The factors that impede wound healing include malnutrition, diseases (such as diabetes, cancer), and bacterial infection. Most of the presently utilized wound dressing materials suffer from severe limitations, including poor antibacterial and mechanical properties. Wound dressings formulated from the combination of biopolymers and synthetic polymers (i.e., poly (vinyl alcohol) or poly (ε-caprolactone) display interesting properties, including good biocompatibility, improved biodegradation, good mechanical properties and antimicrobial effects, promote tissue regeneration, etc. Formulation of these wound dressings via electrospinning technique is cost-effective, useful for uniform and continuous nanofibers with controllable pore structure, high porosity, excellent swelling capacity, good gaseous exchange, excellent cellular adhesion, and show a good capability to provide moisture and warmth environment for the accelerated wound healing process. Based on the above-mentioned outstanding properties of nanofibers and the unique properties of hybrid wound dressings prepared from poly (vinyl alcohol) and poly (ε-caprolactone), this review reports the in vitro and in vivo outcomes of the reported hybrid nanofibers.

The kinetics and release behaviour of curcumin loaded pH-responsive PLGA/chitosan fibers with antitumor activity against HT-29 cells

The bioavailability and clinical effect of curcumin (Cur) are greatly restricted due to its physicochemical instability and high hydrophobicity. To overcome the disadvantages, the nanofibers of poly(lactide-glycolide)/chitosan loaded with Cur (PLGA/CS/Cur) was developed here by electrospinning technique for controlled Cur delivery. The incorporated Cur was well-dispersed and maintained crystalline form in PLGA/CS fiber matrix by hydrogen bonding. The incorporation of Cur had no obvious influence on the fiber size and morphology but exerted impacts on thermal stability. At pH 7.4, the release followed Fickian diffusion mechanism; while at pH 2.0, the release followed the coexistence of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. In addition, the amount of Cur released at pH 2.0 was much higher than that at pH 7.4. As a result, the nanofibers demonstrated higher anticancer activity at acidic environment. Therefore, the PLGA/CS/Cur nanofibers may be served as a potential pH responsive vehicle for the controlled drug delivery.